Hypochlorous acid FAQs

Hypochlorous Acid FAQs

What is hypochlorous acid?

Hypochlorous acid is produced naturally in mammalian immune systems and is the substance the cells in our bodies use to fight infections and kill invading pathogens.

It is also known as electrolysed water as it is made commercially from water, salt and electricity.

Hypochlorous acid is one of the most effective known biocides capable of killing 99.9999% of all bacteria and 99.99% of viruses in seconds. As it contains no hazardous ingredients it poses no risk to animals or humans and can even be used to kill bacteria in drinking water. It is also readily biodegradable dissipating to salt and water.

Why is the figure of 99.9999% so important and in practical terms what does this mean?

Of 1 million bacteria other disinfectants with 99.9% kill, leave 1000 bacteria still alive which can re-populate to the original burden within a few hours. Aqualution’s hypochlorous with 99.9999% kill, leaves 0-1 bacteria still alive.

What can hypochlorous acid be used for?

Hypochlorous acid has many uses but there are different regulations in different countries. In the UK it is widely used as a hard and soft surface disinfectant, either in a spray and wipe format or via a fogging machine.  Hypochlorous is also a very effective deodoriser and can be used in food preparation and food eating areas with no concerns.

Our hypochlorous acid has been approved as part of the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012) for uses PT1-5:

PT1: Human hygiene.

Products in this group are biocidal products used for human hygiene purposes, applied on or in contact with human skin or scalps for the primary purpose of disinfecting the skin or scalp.

PT2: Disinfectants and algaecides not intended for direct application to humans or animals.

Used for the disinfection of surfaces, materials, equipment and furniture which are not used for direct contact with food or feeding stuffs.

PT3: Veterinary hygiene.

Used for veterinary hygiene purposes such as disinfectants, disinfecting soaps, oral or corporal hygiene products or with anti-microbial function. Used to disinfect the materials and surfaces associated with the housing or transportation of animals.

PT4: Food and feed area.

Used for the disinfection of equipment, containers, consumption utensils, surfaces or pipework associated with the production, transport, storage or consumption of food or feed (including drinking water) for humans and animals.

PT5: Drinking water.

Used for the disinfection of drinking water for both humans and animals.

*PT1 use in the UK is currently undergoing review (June 2021) but is imminent.

What can hypochlorous acid kill?

Aqualution’s hypochlorous acid effectively kills bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungus, moulds and spores.

What efficacy tests have been carried out on Aqualution’s hypochlorous?

Our products have been independently laboratory-tested and proven to be effective against a wide range of microorganisms and comply with:

BS EN 1276 – Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. [Salvesan and Solosan]

BS EN 13704 – Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. [Salvesan, Agripure and Solosan]

BS EN 1656 – Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in the veterinary area. [Solosan]

BS EN 14204 – Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of mycobactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants for instruments used in the veterinary area. [Solosan]

BS EN 13697 – Quantitative non-porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal and/or fungicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. [Salvesan, Solosan and Agripure]

BS EN 14476 – Viricidal quantitative suspension test for chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in human medicine. [Salvesan]

BS EN 13727 – Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants for instruments used in the medical area. [Salvesan]

BS EN 1650 – Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. [Salvesan]

BS EN 1500 – This European Standard specifies a test method simulating practical conditions for establishing whether a product for hygienic handrub reduces the release of transient microbial flora on hands when rubbed onto the artificially contaminated hands of volunteers. [Salvesan]

What are the European Biocidal Regulations?

The Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012) concerns the placing on the market and use of biocidal products, which are used to protect humans, animals, materials or articles against harmful organisms like pests or bacteria, by the action of the active substances contained in the biocidal product. This regulation aims to improve the functioning of the biocidal products market in the EU, while ensuring a high level of protection for humans, animals and the environment.

All biocidal products require an authorisation and the active substances contained in that biocidal product must be approved to be legally on sale.

As of 29th June 2021, in compliance with the specified timescale, Aqualution Systems Ltd has filed its UK BPR Active Substance Dossiers with the HSE and are therefore also a legal manufacturer and supplier of hypochlorous acid for the UK market.

What is Aqualution’s hypochlorous acid pH?

The pH of all Aqualution’s products is neutral at pH 7.2. This means it won’t sting, in non-irritating and non-sensitising. In some countries are hypochlorous is approved as an eye drop.

What is its PPM?

Aqualution’s hypochlorous acid has a strength of 150ppm free available chlorine.

Why is it in black bottles?

Our products need to be protected from UV rays to ensure continued stability. Therefore, all our packaging is UV protected to a very high standard.

How should it be stored?

Hypochlorous acid should be stored out of direct sunlight. As it poses no health and safety concerns there are no specific storage requirements.

Do you require PPE when cleaning with HOCl?

The answer is NO, the HOCl is a powerful disinfectant yet perfectly gentle and you do not require PPE when using this as a disinfectant or sanitising.

How quickly does HOCl work?

HOCl works much quicker than any disinfectant product you can buy from the supermarket. Typically, at least 5 times faster, working in seconds not minutes, and it kills more germs (including viruses), killing up to 99.9999% of all pathogens.

How long can I keep Aqualution’s hypochlorous acid before it stops working?

If kept as recommended, our HOCl will remain active for at least 12 months even after opening.

Can I use HOCl around children?

The term ‘acid’ scares many, but Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) is a weak acid and an oxidizing agent produced using only water and salt that is passed through a digitalised process of electricity called electrolysis. HOCl is a gentle disinfectant and is fine to use around children.

Can I use HOCl around my pets?

HOCl can be used in a number of ways to help care for your pets, such as regular spraying of their bedding, neutralising pets smells, reducing bacteria and can be used directly on their skin, eyes and mouth as an antiseptic.

SALVESAN Hypochlorous acid FAQs

What can Salvesan be used for?

Salvesan is a range of hypochlorous acid products for surface disinfection. It comes in a variety of formats for:

• Hard and soft surface disinfection
• Misting soft furnishings
• Deodorising
• Fogging
• Hand sanitising

Can Salvesan be used as a hand sanitiser?

Salvesan is authorised throughout Europe, Dubai and Ireland as a hand sanitiser.

We are currently (June 2021) waiting for the approval of our application for PT1 use in the UK.

SOLOSAN hypochlorous acid FAQs

What is Solosan?

Solosan is an antiseptic designed to effectively manage skin, eye, ear and hoof conditions in animals caused by micro-organisms. It can also be used as a disinfectant to sanitise surfaces, bedding, tack and equipment to both disinfect and eliminate odours, especially urine odours. It kills 99.9999% of pathogens and has a very low contact time of just a few seconds meaning it is very effective at killing pathogens quickly. It is available in a number of packaging formats and is supplied ready to use. The active ingredient is hypochlorous acid.

Is Solosan approved for veterinary use?

Yes it is. Solosan is compliant with European Biocidal Products Regulations (EU528/2012) and is Type 3 Veterinary approved. Solosan has been extensively tested for efficacy and safety for humans, animals and the environment.

What can Solosan be used for?

Solosan is suitable for a wide variety of animal care uses including:

• Surface disinfectant
• Skin disinfectant and antiseptic
• Eye care
• Ear care
• Skin care
• Hoof care
• Mouth care
• Teat disinfectant

Solosan is Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal

Is Solosan competition safe?

Yes, Solosan is completely safe, do not contain any banned substances and adhere to all jockey club, FEI and competition rules.

AGRIPURE hypochlorous acid FAQs

What is Agripure?

Agripure is Aqualution’s product for use in agriculture and horticulture. It is largely used as an on-site, on-demand product in crop production and post-harvest disinfectant but is also available in a bottled format for smaller uses including fruit, vegetable, herb and salad disinfection and to extend the life of cut flowers.

How does Agripure work?

On-site Agripure production is used in post-harvest, pre-packing washing flumes to disinfect produce, as a dry mist to disinfect fragile soft fruits or simply sprayed onto produce.

Hypochlorous is a very effective biocide. A pure hypochlorous acid solution has a remarkable kill ability and is able to kill all pathogens on the hierarchical scale of susceptibility (Figure 2) at relatively low concentrations. In the hard to kill zone,  Spores can be inactivated at 150ppm with contact times of between 1 minute (Bacillus subtilis) and 5 minutes (Clostridium difficile) at 120ppm. By comparison, a 1000 ppm hypochlorite solution is required to kill Clostridium difficile spores in 5 minutes.